Back in 2016 Honda launched a reboot of the Africa Twin, a
legendary, ’80s-era, Dakar-inspired dual-sport that never made it to the U.S. Sharing
the “CRF” model designation with Honda’s line of off-road bikes made it clear
that the all-new CRF1000L Africa Twin was designed to be just as capable off
the pavement as on it.
Read our 2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin First Ride Review
Powered by a snappy 998cc parallel twin, the Africa Twin shared
DNA with Honda’s Dakar competition bike, the CRF450R Rally, with a semi-double
cradle frame, 21-inch front/18-inch rear spoked wheels with tube-type tires, extra-long
suspension travel (9.1 inches front, 8.7 inches rear) and nearly 10 inches of
ground clearance. It was offered as a standard model with a 6-speed manual
transmission with an assist-and-slipper clutch, or as a DCT model with Honda’s
Dual Clutch Transmission with automatic and manual modes.
Read our 2016 Honda Africa Twin DCT Touring Review
For 2018, Honda introduced a more touring oriented version
called the Africa Twin Adventure Sports, which benefited from engine updates, a
lightweight lithium-ion battery, throttle-by-wire with riding modes, an extra
inch of suspension travel, a 1.4-gallon larger fuel tank (6.4 gallons), a taller
windscreen, a taller handlebar and other cosmetic, ergonomic and functional
changes.
Read our 2018 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports Road Test Review
There’s been buzz for a while now something new coming down
the pike, and today Honda announced the new 2020 CRF1100L Africa Twin and
CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES. Both get a larger, more powerful
engine, a more advanced suite of electronic rider aids and other updates. The
standard Africa Twin is geared more toward off-road performance, while the
Adventure Sports ES is designed to deliver more comfort and confidence for
long-distance touring.
The liquid-cooled, DOHC parallel twin powering both Africa
Twin models gets an 86cc bump in displacement, to 1,084cc, which, along with along
with improved intake and exhaust systems, results in a claimed 6% increase in horsepower.
The frame has been updated for optimized handling, the rear subframe is now made
of aluminum construction and is detachable, and the CRF450R-style aluminum swingarm
is lighter and more rigid.
A six-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) enables new rider
aids including wheelie control, cornering ABS, rear-lift control, DCT cornering
detection and cornering lights. A new 6.5-inch TFT color touchscreen display is
compatible with Apple CarPlay, and cruise control is standard on both models.
2020 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin
The 2020 Honda Africa Twin features a shorter, fixed
windscreen and a 5-gallon fuel tank. It will be available in March 2020 in
Matte Black Metallic for $14,399 with a 6-speed transmission or $15,199 with
DCT.
2020 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES
The 2020 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES features new Showa
Electronically Equipped Ride Adjustment suspension (EERA), tubeless wheels,
heated grips, an accessory socket, a larger skid plate, an aluminum rear rack
and a 6.5-gallon tank. It will be available in March 2020 in Pricing Pearl
Glare White/Blue for $17,199 with a 6-speed transmission or $17,999 with DCT.
Check out more new bikes in our 2020 Guide to New Street Motorcycles
Source: RiderMagazine.com